Local Walks

If your a seasoned Fell Walker or just out for a stroll, you'll be
spoilt for choice in the beautiful Borrowdale Valley.

These two walks are just an example of the many marvellous walks to be
had literally from our front door. We will be more than happy to
suggest others upon your visit.

River Derwent to Rosthwaite

From Hollows Farm turn right, following a gently rising broad stony
track, keeping left towards the river after passing the camping site.
At a Footpath to Rosthwaite sign, keep left, soon reaching a
stony section which climbs fairly steeply before turning left yet
again at a gap in the wall. Continue through the woodland, turning
sharp left just over the crest of the rise to head downhill towards a
stone cairn.

At a quarry spoil heap on the right, a short sharp pull uphill leads
to a rock face with interesting mineral colouration and a large rock
arch, almost forming a cave. The latter can be seen without the sharp
ascent by continuing a little further along the main path before
diverting to the right. The attractive and varied woodland which is
such a feature of this walk is looked after by the National Trust.
The River Derwent is crossed by a substantial stone bridge; those with
more sporting instincts can continue for a further 300 yards up river
to cross by stepping stones, more fun when the water is high. Either
way, a lane now leads straight to Rosthwaite, with a pub, tea shop,
post office/stores, hotel, public conveniences, and the bus service
back to Grange where there is a Riverside Tea Garden to end your
journey.

Catbells

Probably the best value-for-effort mountain in the Lake District,
Catbells has a big mountain feel whilst only being 385m (1265 feet)
high. This height is enough however to offer the successful walkers a
magnificent 360° view of the Northern Lake District.

From Hollows Farm turn left onto the Cumbrian Way path leading
northwards. Stay on this path all the way until the path briefly meets
the road at Manesty before ascending towards Catbells itself.

Continue upwards on this path until you are high above the woodlands
of Manesty Park and Brackenburn, the former home of Sir Hugh Walpole,
author of the Herries Series of books. There is grassy outcrop here
ideal for a breather or snack whilst you soak up the views. Climb
upwards once more occasionally alongside a fence, finishing in zigzags
to reach Hause Gate, the broad grassy col between Catbells and the
higher fell of Maiden Moor and High Spy to the south. Go across the
col for a splendid view down into Yewthwaite Gill and the Newlands
valley. Return to the col and ascend northwards on a broad path, up a
slight rise, before you reach the base of Catbells' rocky little
summit.

There are numerous spots all around the summit in which to seclude
oneself, and enjoy a well-earned bite to eat. The view is marvellous:
to the north Skiddaw forms a splendid backdrop for the town of
Keswick, to its left the blue expanse of Bassenthwaite Lake. Further
right, you can see the distinctive profile of Blencathra. Looking
west, the view is of the grand circle of fells of Causey Pike,
Coledale, Eel Crags, Sail and Grisedale Pike.

When suitably recovered, press on across the top of Catbells. The path
down is nowhere in doubt, but has a few minor rock outcrops to contend
with, until you reach the broad col that lies at the foot of Catbells'
main summit.

The next minor summit along the ridge brings more moments of
delightful walking, and leads to another steepish descent, this time
twisting about to ease the gradient. At its end, you step on to the
road at Hawse End. Turn right, ignore the road descending to the left,
and go right, following the road back to Grange for a short distance,
before leaving it by a bridleway (on the right), that rises gently
across the flanks of the summits you have just traversed.

The path, returns you to a quarry car park, ascend again from here
behind Brackenburn and Manesty, effectively you are now back on the
Cumbrian way and can follow this path all the way back to the comforts
of Hollows Farm!